City of London Corporation appoints new City Surveyor

The City of London Corporation has appointed Paul Wilkinson as the 35th City Surveyor. He will succeed Peter Bennett who is retiring after 26 years with the City. Bennett served as the Deputy City Surveyor for 18 years, and was named City Surveyor in 2008.

The post of City Surveyor dates back to 1478, but has developed since 2008 under Peter Bennett’s guidance to combine the fund management of a major central London commercial property portfolio extending to over 16 million square feet of space, with the management of the City’s 600 operational properties stretching across Greater London, including Guildhall, The Mansion House, and Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey). The City of London Corporation holds operational properties with a wide variety of uses from offices, retail space, to wholesale markets. In addition, since 1995, the City Surveyor has managed the well-respected City Property Advisory team, which facilitates property and related business activities in the Square Mile.

Paul is currently the Director of Property and Facilities Management at the University of London, and has a proven record of developing and implementing property strategies, through the identification and appraisal of development sites and delivery of major construction projects.

Prior to managing the University of London’s property portfolio, he was the head of Property and Facilities at Aviva, the global insurer. Paul holds an MSc in Real Estate Investment and Finance from the University of Reading. Paul will start at the City of London Corporation on 3 October 2016.

Commenting on his appointment, Paul Wilkinson said:

“The City of London is a world leading financial centre, attracting businesses from across the world, and I look forward to playing my part in ensuring that the properties managed by the City of London Corporation are fit for purpose and serve businesses’ needs well.

“This is a demanding but very fulfilling role at a time when the Square Mile is going through exciting changes, and I am looking forward to serving as the new City Surveyor.”

Alastair Moss, Chairman of the Property Investment Board commented:

“This is an important time for the City of London, and I am confident that Paul will provide a steady hand in managing the Corporation’s properties. Paul brings a wealth of experience from both public and private industries, and I am delighted that he has accepted this important position in the City of London Corporation.”

The City of London Corporation provides local government and policing services for the financial and commercial heart of Britain, the 'Square Mile'. In addition, the City Corporation has three roles:

We support London’s communities by working in partnership with neighbouring boroughs on economic regeneration, education and skills projects. In addition, the City of London Corporation’s charity City Bridge Trust makes grants of around £20 million annually to charitable projects across London and we also support education with three independent schools, three City Academies, a primary school and the world-renowned Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

We also help look after key London’s heritage and green spaces including Tower Bridge, Museum of London, Barbican Arts Centre, City gardens, Hampstead Heath, Epping Forest, Burnham Beeches, and important ‘commons’ in south London.

We also support and promote the ‘City’ as a world-leading financial and business hub, with outward and inward business delegations, high-profile civic events and research-driven policies all reflecting a long-term approach.